Congressclears wayfor Rahul Gandhitotake over
IN COMMAND Party to hold leadership polls after 7 years NEWDELHI:
TheCongress’highest decision-making bodyapproved aroadmaponMondaytoelevate RahulGandhi,whocouldbecome the party president as early as December 5.
The Congress will be holding leadership elections after seven years.Nominationswillcloseon December4andapplicationswill bescrutinisedadaylater.Voting willbeheldonDecember16butit was unlikely Rahul Gandhi will face a challenge.
The 47-year-old politician, oncereferredtoasthe“Reluctant Prince” for his refusal to lead the party orjoin its last government, hasvirtually helmed the organisationafterhismotherandparty president Sonia Gandhi took a back seat two years ago. He has beenthevicepresidentofthe131year-old party since January 2013.
Party sources say Sonia Gandhi, long a binding force for the partyandknownforherabilityto build alliances, could take the roleofitschiefpatronorheadthe Congress Parliamentary Party.
Monday’sdecisionbytheCongressWorkingCommittee(CWC) came after an assessment that RahulGandhi’selevationwould help the Congress in the Gujarat assembly elections, to be held in twophasesonDecember9and14.
“We will definitely get more publicspace,andRahulGandhi’s campaignasCongresspresident will not only galvanise the cadre butalsogenerategoodwillamong voters,” said a party leader involved in the campaign strategy for Gujarat.
Over the past months, Rahul Gandhi has shouldered the responsibility of being the chief campaigner, displaying a new confidenceinhispublicspeeches